- India’s Freedom Struggle has witnessed the undaunted courage of Women during the pre-Gandhian era from Lakshmibai to Bhima Holkar. Later reformism gave way to the valorisation of tradition, and women became an ideal emblem of morals and motherhood. But after the advent of Gandhiji, there was a significant change in women’s involvement in the nationalist movement.
- Sita & Draupadi were his role models for women and believed they could make supreme sacrifices.
- Gandhiji felt that most women in India had qualities such as patience, forbearance and moral courage, required for Satyagraha.
- Gandhi’s beliefs helped women to get away with their sense of inferiority and to rise to dignity.
- Proposed social evils such as child marriage, purdah system.
- Women went to jail for the first time in the NCM. (“A yagna is incomplete without women taking part in it”-Gandhi during NCM).
- During peasant movements in Awadh, during NCM, Jaggi Devi participated actively, Sarala Devi, Amrit Kaur, Sucheta Kriplani, and Aruna Asaf Ali also participated in the NCM.
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-33) saw extensive women’s participation. Sarojini Naidu was nominated by Gandhiji to initiate a raid upon Dharasana Salt Works. Kamla Devi (after support from Gandhi) addressed meetings and prepared salt.
- Nari Satyagraha Committee.
- During Quit India Movement (1942) Usha Mehta persisted with broadcasting until their arrest (When Gandhi said- Do or die).
- Gandhi’s insistence on non-violence and emphasis on maintaining a respectable image of women satyagrahis helped in more participation of Women.
